Race-by-race preview and tips for Saturday meeting at Rosehill Gardens
This looks like a race up for grabs and 6. Alphard did more than enough on debut at Canterbury, without any luck at all, to say he has some ability. Travelled well into the straight, then ran into a brick wall, had to stop and lose all momentum before closing off again to hold forth. Could face a similar problem from barrier one and would like to see some support for him, but a good each-way chance. 10. Sapling was far too good, leading all the way to win a Wyong maiden as favourite after being narrowly denied the start before. Back to 1200m, but imagine she goes forward and gets her chance to step up. 11. Spice Prawn has some ability despite being unplaced in both runs in her first preparation. Both trials have been sound, and if she lines up from the wide gate, it says the stable thinks she's a winning chance. 5. Without Peer is an interesting first starter, and he'd be one to keep an eye on.
How to play it: Alphard EACH-WAY
Race 2 - 11.50am: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
11. Pretty Tavi is ready to win one of these races, and she might have come across the right set-up for her with a soft draw and a reasonably good track. Found a spot a bit too far off the pace under the circumstances there first-up, loomed like she might sprint past them, then flattened out beaten under a length. 2. Denman Star appreciated a fast run race and was able to sweep down the outside to win first-up at Canterbury, with the runner-up a subsequent winner. Interesting to see if he can make use of a better gate and be that length or two closer. 6. Harry's Bar was sent out favourite in that event at Canterbury and perhaps a shade disappointing in running fourth, though not beaten far. 1. Rolling Magic was advantaged by landing on the back of the speed when winning the Midway at Rosehill four weeks ago. Stays at 1300m and draws out, so that has to be a concern.
How to play it: Pretty Tavi EACH-WAY
Race 3 - 12.25pm: TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1100m)
2. Highway Strip has a significant gear change that hopefully means he's on track to live up to the potential he's shown to date. That's the concussion plates coming off, meaning his feet are in good order and the niggles he was reported to be battling are in the past. With that in mind, to get as close as he did to Clear Thinking after drawing near the outside in his last run back in January speaks to his ability. Trials have been good, he's drawn well, and he has to be the horse to beat. 1. First Landing faces a task from the wide gate with 61.5kg (weight less of an issue with Aaron Bullock riding), but he brings some strong form into the race, having chased Storm The Ramparts home in Benchmark 78 grade two weeks ago. Any luck, and he's a major threat. 9. Pony Soprano hasn't raced since finishing midfield in the Country Championships at Port Macquarie in February. Recent trial winner and worth keeping an eye on. 13. Cool Storm has had a stable change since failing in two runs last time in. Go back to her previous prep, and she placed in two handy Highways. On that form, she's far from out of it.
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Sydney Morning Herald
8 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Waller celebrates special first Godolphin win with idol by his side
Waller said it was 'an honour to be regarded as being good enough to train for' Godolphin, who had been his stable's biggest competitor and 'best yardstick'. 'We've taken over from a great operation,' he said. 'Just seeing the horses come into our system, my riders have said, 'wow'. The young horses are so well-educated. Horses like her have just settled in really well. 'I was nervous coming into the race, just to make sure everything went well. It's a good relief.' The opening race victory was fitting given Waller and McDonald's dominance last campaign to win their 15th and seventh consecutive Sydney premierships respectively. Waller, who also won the last when Ravenclaw blitzed his rivals under Tommy Berry, said his team was continually striving to improve their Saturday strike-rate. 'It was last Saturday, end of season, straight into it,' he said. 'What can we do better? Where can we improve? Yesterday we went through the runners different to how we did before, trying to make the race day a little bit easier.' Dream win for rookie trainer Wyong trainer Denim Wynen was in disbelief after a former Yulong filly bought for $85,000 delivered her a first city winner on Saturday at Rosehill. Sunshine Law, having her first start for Wynen, hit the lead 150m out and scored a half-length victory over Super Norwest in the 1400m benchmark 78 for fillies and mares. It gave Wyong apprentice Anna Roper a double and Wynen a career highlight. Wynen, who has been training for owners for two years and has 16 horses in work, was given the Alabama Express mare after clients bought her online. Trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, Sunshine Law won two starts heading into the sale. 'I still can't believe it's true,' Wynen said of the $82,500 win. 'Credit to [the owners], they picked it. They've been a big support to my stable the last six months. They bought some weanlings and they wanted to get to the races sooner, so they decided to go to the tried sales and picked up two nice horses from Yulong, so I think we're going to have some fun with them.' The 29-year-old said Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan had been a guiding light. 'I didn't want to go to school any more when I was 14 and my brother was working with horses and my mum said if I got a job, I was allowed to leave school, and I went and worked for Kristen Buchanan,' she said. 'She took me in and she was like a mum to me and that's where I've been since.' Wynen's other runner, Monkhana, was second in the Midway handicap. Pride eyes another dance for Headley Trainer Joe Pride was looking to give Headley Grange another shot at a Big Dance qualifier after he bounced back with a two-length victory on Saturday. Headley Grange was sixth as favourite in Big Dance qualifier South Grafton Cup last start, after winning the listed Civic Stakes at Randwick, and he thrived on heavy going in the rain at Rosehill under Adam Hyeronimus in the 1500m open handicap. 'I'm not sure where his ceiling is,' Pride said. 'I don't think he's a serious group horse, but I think he's a really nice horse who's already won one black-type race and I'm sure there's plenty more to come. 'At some point I want to give him another go at a Big Dance qualifier.' Hyeronimus made it a double with an all-the-way win on The Novelist for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in the benchmark 94 (1300m). Bott said the Goulburn Cup could be next for The Novelist. Trainer Bjorn Baker also had a bounce-back win, when Stardeel led all the way under Josh Parr in the benchmark 72 (1200m), after coming from last to finish fourth last week at Randwick. Baker said Stardeel would likely go for a spell. Freedmans weigh up Four Pillars Will Freedman quipped he 'might have to lock in an apprentice now' to take weight off Cold Brew in the $500,000 Four Pillars Midway (1500m) on November 1 at Rosehill after the four-year-old cruised to victory at the track on Saturday. Backing up first wins at Hawkesbury and Newcastle, Cold Brew defied a three-wide run without cover under Jason Collett to surge to an almost four-length win in the Midway benchmark 72 (1400m). Freedman, who trains in partnership with his father, Richard, said Cold Brew may go for a spell before a potential Four Pillars shot, although he feared the gelding may get weighted out of the benchmark 68 race. Loading 'His rating might be too big now, but he might be a Four Pillars horse. He's pretty progressive,' Freedman said of Cold Brew, which was rated at 68 before the victory. Dunn mare shines in Kosciuszko trial Unbeaten mare Without Parallel pushed her claims for a slot in the $2 million Kosciuszko with a dominant victory in the class 3 Highway Handicap (1200m) on Saturday. Under two-kilogram claiming apprentice Anna Roper, the Matt Dunn-trained favourite raced outside leader Where's The Fire from gate three and took over at the top of the straight before cruising to an almost five-length win. It was a first test on heavy ground and in Highway grade for the four-year-old, which now has four victories from four starts and opened as a $26 chance for the Kosciuszko slot race after Saturday's win. The 1200m Kosciuszko, held on Everest day, October 18 at Randwick, is the richest race for country-trained horses. Dubbo trainer Dar Lunn also put the Kosciuszko in plans for Elson Boy, which held off Waller-trained Captain Furai in the ninth, a benchmark 78 (1400m), for a first win in 412 days.
The Age
8 hours ago
- The Age
Waller celebrates special first Godolphin win with idol by his side
Waller said it was 'an honour to be regarded as being good enough to train for' Godolphin, who had been his stable's biggest competitor and 'best yardstick'. 'We've taken over from a great operation,' he said. 'Just seeing the horses come into our system, my riders have said, 'wow'. The young horses are so well-educated. Horses like her have just settled in really well. 'I was nervous coming into the race, just to make sure everything went well. It's a good relief.' The opening race victory was fitting given Waller and McDonald's dominance last campaign to win their 15th and seventh consecutive Sydney premierships respectively. Waller, who also won the last when Ravenclaw blitzed his rivals under Tommy Berry, said his team was continually striving to improve their Saturday strike-rate. 'It was last Saturday, end of season, straight into it,' he said. 'What can we do better? Where can we improve? Yesterday we went through the runners different to how we did before, trying to make the race day a little bit easier.' Dream win for rookie trainer Wyong trainer Denim Wynen was in disbelief after a former Yulong filly bought for $85,000 delivered her a first city winner on Saturday at Rosehill. Sunshine Law, having her first start for Wynen, hit the lead 150m out and scored a half-length victory over Super Norwest in the 1400m benchmark 78 for fillies and mares. It gave Wyong apprentice Anna Roper a double and Wynen a career highlight. Wynen, who has been training for owners for two years and has 16 horses in work, was given the Alabama Express mare after clients bought her online. Trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, Sunshine Law won two starts heading into the sale. 'I still can't believe it's true,' Wynen said of the $82,500 win. 'Credit to [the owners], they picked it. They've been a big support to my stable the last six months. They bought some weanlings and they wanted to get to the races sooner, so they decided to go to the tried sales and picked up two nice horses from Yulong, so I think we're going to have some fun with them.' The 29-year-old said Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan had been a guiding light. 'I didn't want to go to school any more when I was 14 and my brother was working with horses and my mum said if I got a job, I was allowed to leave school, and I went and worked for Kristen Buchanan,' she said. 'She took me in and she was like a mum to me and that's where I've been since.' Wynen's other runner, Monkhana, was second in the Midway handicap. Pride eyes another dance for Headley Trainer Joe Pride was looking to give Headley Grange another shot at a Big Dance qualifier after he bounced back with a two-length victory on Saturday. Headley Grange was sixth as favourite in Big Dance qualifier South Grafton Cup last start, after winning the listed Civic Stakes at Randwick, and he thrived on heavy going in the rain at Rosehill under Adam Hyeronimus in the 1500m open handicap. 'I'm not sure where his ceiling is,' Pride said. 'I don't think he's a serious group horse, but I think he's a really nice horse who's already won one black-type race and I'm sure there's plenty more to come. 'At some point I want to give him another go at a Big Dance qualifier.' Hyeronimus made it a double with an all-the-way win on The Novelist for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in the benchmark 94 (1300m). Bott said the Goulburn Cup could be next for The Novelist. Trainer Bjorn Baker also had a bounce-back win, when Stardeel led all the way under Josh Parr in the benchmark 72 (1200m), after coming from last to finish fourth last week at Randwick. Baker said Stardeel would likely go for a spell. Freedmans weigh up Four Pillars Will Freedman quipped he 'might have to lock in an apprentice now' to take weight off Cold Brew in the $500,000 Four Pillars Midway (1500m) on November 1 at Rosehill after the four-year-old cruised to victory at the track on Saturday. Backing up first wins at Hawkesbury and Newcastle, Cold Brew defied a three-wide run without cover under Jason Collett to surge to an almost four-length win in the Midway benchmark 72 (1400m). Freedman, who trains in partnership with his father, Richard, said Cold Brew may go for a spell before a potential Four Pillars shot, although he feared the gelding may get weighted out of the benchmark 68 race. Loading 'His rating might be too big now, but he might be a Four Pillars horse. He's pretty progressive,' Freedman said of Cold Brew, which was rated at 68 before the victory. Dunn mare shines in Kosciuszko trial Unbeaten mare Without Parallel pushed her claims for a slot in the $2 million Kosciuszko with a dominant victory in the class 3 Highway Handicap (1200m) on Saturday. Under two-kilogram claiming apprentice Anna Roper, the Matt Dunn-trained favourite raced outside leader Where's The Fire from gate three and took over at the top of the straight before cruising to an almost five-length win. It was a first test on heavy ground and in Highway grade for the four-year-old, which now has four victories from four starts and opened as a $26 chance for the Kosciuszko slot race after Saturday's win. The 1200m Kosciuszko, held on Everest day, October 18 at Randwick, is the richest race for country-trained horses. Dubbo trainer Dar Lunn also put the Kosciuszko in plans for Elson Boy, which held off Waller-trained Captain Furai in the ninth, a benchmark 78 (1400m), for a first win in 412 days.
The Australian
5 days ago
- The Australian
‘He's got some ability': Trainer Colvin's 2025 Kosciuszko hope Cambar ready to rip at Royal Randwick on Saturday
Wagga trainer Gary Colvin will be at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday with his 2022 Country Championships Final winner Another One and his 2025 Kosciuszko hopeful Cambar both in action. While he's a winner of nine races and more than $1 million, Another One hasn't saluted since capturing the Wodonga Cup in November 2023. His two winter runs have both been below what is considered his usual fare, finishing down the order at Randwick and Flemington during the month of June. 'We've sorted a few things out with him and I really expect a big improvement from him,'' Colvin says. 'It's a pretty hard race that he's in but we've got to run him in them and I just want to sort of see how he is going.' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The Kosciuszko market could be in for a minor, or even major adjustment, depending on what Colvin's highly regarded Pierata son, Cambar, can deliver at his return to racing in Saturday's TAB Highway. 'I think he's got some ability,'' Colvin said. 'If he comes up to the mark where I think he will, I think he will definitely be looking at him for the Kosciuszko. 'He just had shin-soreness last time but he is back and going really well. 'I thought his trial at Albury was very good.' • Mitch Cohen's Blackbook: Five to follow from Royal Randwick on Saturday Colvin has another potential star of the 2025/26 season kicking off on day two of the new season, namely Party Boss, who turns three on Friday. 'I've got Party Boss in at Kembla,'' the trainer said. 'He's a nice horse on the way up. I've picked a hard race for him on Saturday but we might as well have a crack at his own age. 'He wasn't disgraced in the Black Opal. He drew wide and just never got in the race. 'He's had a good spell now and he's come back and I hope he goes alright.' Colvin's immediate focus rests with the outcome of Tuesday's scheduled meeting at Wagga which will be run on a Heavy 10, if at all. The popular local identity has several runners spread across the card namely Pride Of Jezza, Nic's Hero, Super Jules, Bonvalante, Newyork Missile, Philadelphia Storm and Kerma Art. Colvin's clear pick of the bunch is the booming last start winner, Pride Of Jezza. 'He's not bad,'' Colvin says. 'There is something about him, he won really easy last week.' Horse Racing Form analyst Shayne O'Cass presents his best bets and inside mail for Wellington on Thursday, plus his tips for the Wagga meeting. Horse Racing Mudgee trainer David Smith has a big week ahead starting on Tuesday and ending on Sunday chasing Big Dance eligibility at Forbes with his stable captain Lockdown Gamble.
